Three Summers

by S. J. Sylvis

  Once I’m in the truck I realize that there are several blankets and pillows piled in the back, I assume for us to lay on. I’m amazed, simply amazed at the thought he put into this.

  As I sit down and crawl over to the back windows, landing softly on the pillows, I say, “This is infinitely better than watching a movie in your parent’s basement like we used to… ” I laugh as I trail off the last part of the sentence.

  One of the first times we ever got somewhat frisky with each other was in his parents old, wood-paneled walled basement while watching some Halloween movie. His parents never really came down to check on us; thank God because they would have seen all sorts of body parts.

  “Yeah, well it’s been a long three years. My dating skills have gotten infinitely better.” He wags his eyebrows up when he crawls up beside me. Then he opens the cracked back window, reaches in and pulls out Twizzlers, and two Diet Cokes. IT JUST KEEPS GETTING BETTER!

  “Just wait until you see the movie I picked,” he says as he winks at me. My insides are sizzling. He’s not only wowing me with our date but with that damn wink, too.

  He clicks something on his phone and then the movie starts up ahead. Once I see what movie is playing, I can’t even help the smile breaking out, covering my tiny face.

  “Rowen… ” I whip my head to his and he has on a small smile, gauging my expression. It’s that same Halloween movie from years ago. The first movie we ever watched together. I’m not even sure how he remembers that, I barely do.

  He looks so relaxed with his one leg hiked up and his arm draped over it. I don’t even have time to think about what I’m doing—I suddenly feel myself quickly move over to him and I throw my arms around his neck. He’s stunned, and I am, too, but then he falls into the hug and wraps his other arm around my waist.

  Once I let go, I say, “This is the best second first date that I’ve ever had.”

  “It’s the only second first date you’ll ever have.” His eyes darken for a second and then we both laugh, turning our attention to the movie. I don’t dare move back to my spot. I stay right there, with my body touching Rowen’s.

  Twenty-One

  Rowen and I’s date ended on a perfect note last week. We watched the Halloween movie, sneaking small touches here and there, but by the end of it, we weren’t even watching it anymore. We were talking about old memories, his new hopes and dreams, and mine. Our hands were intertwined and I smiled inwardly when I realized that his hand felt so different beneath mine, yet so right. We may be different on the outside, but our hearts are still the same old hearts that never seemed to stop loving.

  “Mom, so… ” I trail off when I see my dad walking into the kitchen from the back door. I take a deep breath as he stands off to the counter behind my mom, crossing his arms, waiting for me to continue. By the way he is standing, guards up, he knows. He knows Rowen and I are back together. I can feel the tension rolling off his body, just like rain running off a windshield.

  “Before you say anything, either of you.” I glance in my dad’s direction. “Please remember that I’m now twenty-one.” My dad snickers and I chuckle. I’ve literally been twenty-one for like seven hours but whatever. “I’m twenty-one, and I can choose who I want to be with.”

  No one says anything. My dad rolls his eyes and my mom stands there, waiting patiently for whatever I’m about to say. “With that said, Rowen and I are going out tonight for my birthday.” My mom’s eyebrows scrunch up in wonder, and I realize it’s more than likely because I said the sentence so fast, I sounded like a drunk auctioneer. It came out something like this; “Witsaid, RowIbriday.”

  “I heard the name Rowen and that’s all I need to know.” My dad storms past me and it make me feel like crap. I get it, I understand why he’s worried. Part of me is, too. I let out an audible huff, blowing my hair off my face, as I turn towards my mom.

  “Oh honey, just give him time. I’ll talk to him.” I must not seem very convinced as she ushers me to sit down and places a huge pile of pancakes in front of me. “Birthday girl’s gotta eat!” There’s just something about moms that can take your bad mood and make you forget about it, completely. And that’s exactly what I do after I take a whiff of the warm, sweet syrup.

  Rowen and I barely work together this summer since he spends most of his days working on the field with the guys, slaying their bodies so they’re ready for the football season. I found out on our date that Rowen already has a job set up for after senior year. He’ll be the new PE teacher at the high school and he’ll be assuming the assistant football coach position for a while before climbing the ropes to the athletic director. It’s a great plan and I would have never expected anything less from him. He’s always been a planner; he’s always had his head screwed on straight, except for that whole breaking up with me thing. He lost his mind on that one.

  Before going to work, I realize that since I’m going to an undisclosed location with Rowen for my birthday, I’d better make myself presentable and shower in the locker rooms at the club. I don’t know why I didn’t think about that last time; I guess it was the nerves. I could barely sleep last night, wondering what Rowen had up his sleeves for today. We are definitely taking things slow; he only kissed me on the cheek when we parted a few days ago and we’ve texted a few times, nothing too clingy or strong. I can’t decide if I like that or not. I should like taking things slow, but my libido doesn’t. Taking things slow should be the route we take, because if go fast, I’ll tip over the edge and fall for him quick. Just like three years ago. Our love was one of those fast, fall-for-you-in-a-flash type of loves. The ones that can destroy you in a flash, too.

  I told Sash that I’d lock up after showering and he willingly obeyed. I think he’s just happy he doesn’t have to stay around for stragglers to leave. I shower nice and slow, letting the hot water scald my body. I want to look perfect, and not smell like a swimming pool. It’s my twenty-first birthday, so I’m almost positive we’ll be going to some type of bar or something along those lines so I planned to wear something sexy but not too dressy.

  I blow dry my hair carefully and run my wand through my dark brown locks; giving it a little more wave than usual. I even take the necessary time to put on some more intense make-up, a light smoky-eye and some dark lipstick. When I’m finsihed getting ready, I walk over to the full-length mirror hanging near the door and take a look at myself. I nod my head in approval and grin. That’s right, I look HOT. My hair is perfect, my makeup is on point, and the red, strappy summer dress hits just low enough to not show my buttocks. I pair it with some wedges and I walk out the bathroom door, with an evil grin on my face, feeling confident and so unlike the old Sadie. Rowen isn’t going to know what to do with me. He’s used to teenager Sadie, semi-innocent Sadie. In her place is hot, sexy and grown-up Sadie; with more boob-age, I might add.

  Once I lock the iron gate and shut all the lights out, I slowly pace the sidewalk, listening to my wedges pitter patter on the concrete with every step. When I round the corner, I look down and see the the tiniest little pink cupcake sitting there, along with several others. They seem to be leading to something, so I pick up the first, inhaling the sweet-smelling icing, and then walk a few feet forward and pick up the other. There are five in total and once I get to the last one, I bend down to pick it up and my eyes are met with dark shoes. I stand up straight and grin at Rowen. He is leaning against his truck and my mouth waters (not because of the cupcakes, either). He’s wearing his dark jeans, and an unbuttoned, light grey button-down with a crisp white shirt underneath. He has paired it with some brown stylish shoes and I’m a little taken back. The old Rowen would have been wearing gym shorts and an old t-shirt with his hat on backwards but this one… this one is freaking edible. Maybe if I place some of this light pink icing on him, I can have a little two in one; it’d be the best present ever.

  I swallow loudly, as did he. He checks me out from head to toe and his gaze is smoldering. I feel like I’m on fire. Stop, drop and roll!<
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  When I look down at his hands, I see he is holding a small box. I slowly walk over to him, still holding the five tiny cupcakes in my hands, and place them on the hood of his truck. We don’t say a word, he just hands me the box, untying the silk pink ribbon with his hand. I gulp as I watch his large hand fiddle the ribbon. I suddenly feel like I need to fan myself. When he opens up the box, there lay several pink and white cupcakes in the form of the number 21. I smile and my heart grows soft when I read what I was written in manly, scratchy handwriting on the inside flap: Twenty-One cupcakes for my only Cupcake. I think I fall in love with him all over again.

  “Happy birthday, Sadie,” he says, following a little clear of his throat.

  I hastily grab the box out of his hand and put it beside the other cupcakes, and I crowd his space. He looks down at me with confusion lacing his big brown eyes and I tip my head up to his, our lips millimeters from touching. I hear him swallow as I inch closer, placing my timid lips on his. The second our lips touch, I am a goner. Imagine five hundred fireworks going off at the same time. What I mean for the kiss to be, is a sweet way of saying thank you but it turns into something far deeper. It’s no longer a sweet and timid kiss. My lips part seconds after they touch his, and his tongue sweeps inside, sweeping me up in the process. I run my fingers through his soft hair and let out an audible moan and he very eagerly does too.

  His hands grip my hips, hard, and he whips my body around so it’s flat against his truck. His leg goes in between mine, our lips never leaving each other’s. This isn’t just a kiss shared by two people; this is a “give it back to me kiss,” it’s a kiss that feels like we will literally fall apart and die if let go.

  Needing oxygen, he finally let my lips go and we both gulp up the air like we have been underwater for minutes. I reach up and touch my lips with my fingertips, feeling the swollenness of them, and my mouth turns upwards.

  “That was worth waiting for,” he says and I reach up and kiss him again, softly this time. If we kiss like that again, we won’t make it to wherever we are going. I can promise you that.

  Rowen backs away once I remove my lips and runs his hand over his face, calming himself down. I get it, I need a breather too. Once he looks back at me, he gives me that Rowen grin and says, “You look absolutely beautiful, Sadie.” I flush in response and grab my cupcakes, rounding the front of his truck, smiling the entire time.

  Once we get closer to where we’re going, Rowen makes me tie a blindfold around my face. I scowl the entire time I am tying it behind my head but really, I’m euphoric over the idea of being surprised.

  When I feel the rumble of his truck come to a stop I try to look through the blindfold to see where exactly we are. I can’t make out shit, so I sit here and cross my arms—pouting like a four-year-old.

  “This is a bit ridiculous, Rowen.” I roll my eyes underneath the blindfold.

  “Relax, Sade. We’re here.” I huff in response but feel him shift closer to me.

  “Do you remember what you said we’d do on your twenty-first birthday?” he whispers along my ear, causing goosebumps to break out all over my arms.

  “No, I don’t think so… ” I try to think really hard but with his breath on my neck, I just can’t concentrate.

  “We were at Kyle’s. In his bedroom. You, me, Kyle, and I think it was… ”

  I finish the sentence for him, “Katelyn.” Kyle’s flavor of the month. He went through more girls than I could count on my fingers… and my toes.

  “Mmhm,” his breath warm on my neck. “And we were all drunk, playing quarters and you looked right at me and said… ” He trails off and lets me finish.

  “I looked over at you, after making my quarter in the cup, and I said, ‘You’re gonna take me to all the bars along College Street and get drunk with me. Then you’re going to carry me back home.’” I laugh when I say it. I was tipsy at the time, without a care in the world.

  I feel Rowen’s hand brush my cheek as he unties the blindfold from my face and sure enough, here we are, parked in front of College Street. This is where all the bars are, all the good ones, anyway. The ones you come to on your twenty-first birthday planning to get shit-faced.

  I’ve been to bars before, the ones near Duke, but never as a twenty-one year old, and these establishments are so different in all aspects. The street is lined with cars, people spilling out of the buildings plastered beside one another. They are all brick, and rusty looking. Young women, clad in tight dresses, and high heels, and curled hair. Men dressed to impress, trying to catch a whiff of any female that walked past. Carefree, fun.

  “This is the best second second date I’ve ever had,” I laugh as Rowen climbs out of his truck.

  He turns around at the last second, “And it’s the last second second date you’ll ever have.” I bloom on the inside. Literally bloom like a flower on a spring day.

  Once we enter the first bar, we are taken back to a back booth and there are Anna, Hannah Marie, Kyle and some other guy. I almost jumped for joy at the sight of my friends but Rowen’s hand landed on my lower back and my spine straightened right up. His touch does things to me, especially after our hasty make-out session. I still feel his hands on my body, his lips on mine. I’m probably still flushed, too.

  “Happy birthday!” Anna and Hannah say in unison, draping a hot pink feather boa over my shoulders and placing a sparkly “Birthday Girl” crown on top of my head. Kyle already had a birthday drink in hand for me and I downed it in seconds. I needed a drink to calm my raging hormones. With Rowen’s touch on me, claiming me in this busy upbeat bar, I’m ready to strip down naked.

  We all ended up taking a few shots (except the mystery guy, who I find out later is a friend from school that they paid to be the DD), and then we wobbled around to three more bars. We were currently in Crazy Eight’s and it was by far my favorite. It was big and open. A giant dancefloor right smack dab in the middle. The place was decked out in neon everything. Everything glowed like we were in a laser tag maze and the dim lights made everyone look as if we were avatars.

  “Shots for the birthday girl!” Hannah slurs and I willingly take the shot, tipping my head back and letting the burning liquid slide down my throat. I had a pretty good tolerance, thanks to Alicia and I hitting several parties last year (in hopes to get my mind off Rowen, which obviously didn’t work) but now that I’m at my fourth bar, I’m drunk. Straight up drunk and you know how I know that? Because I just dragged Hannah Marie and Anna out onto the dance floor with me. I’m in between the duo, with my hands in the air, letting my hair whip across my face.

  Hannah Marie and Anna are basically grinding on me and we’re all cracking up like we’re in a comedy show. I glance over at Rowen and he’s sitting at the bar, a beer in his oversized hand, cracking a smile at me with the pink feather boa wrapped around his shoulders.

  My heart grows about ten times its size and I can’t take it any longer. I slip out from in between the girls and I push and shove my way towards my man. I keep walking past him, giving him a wink (a definite effect of being inebriated) and step outside the side door.

  The sun has completely set now, the moon barely peeking out from behind a dark grey cloud. Seconds later, I hear the door swing open with its creaky hinges and Rowen is walking out. The music and chattering pours through the open door and then it’s slammed shut again, leaving only Rowen and I in the dark alley. He has lost the pink feather boa and his hair looks effortlessly tousled. He looks down at me, shadows covering his dark eyes, and cocks an eyebrow. I grab his hand and pull him close to me, smacking my lips onto his. I taste the hint of a dark beer on his tongue and listen to him growl under my touch. Our hands are everywhere. His on my lower back, reaching around to cup my head. Mine on his biceps, squeezing and scratching for more. I need more. He’s like a drug that I’ll never stop needing. He quickly spins us around and backs me up against the side of the bar. I can feel the warm brick along my exposed shoulder blades and Rowen lifts my hands so they�
�re pinned above my head. He dips down and kisses my neck.

  “Jesus, Sadie. I can’t—“ he kisses me along my collar bone and I realize that I’m gasping like a wild animal but I don’t care. I want more.

  His lips hit mine again and they’re just as eager as before. Nipping my lips with his teeth, I let out a breathy moan. I hurriedly buck my hips up to his and I can feel his hardness from outside his jeans. Excited, I give his lip a little bite which just seems to make things that much hotter. This is probably the most amazing sexual experience I have ever had. It’s rushed, and raw; no time for second guessing, no time to slow down. He puts me into a completely different state of ecstasy. It’s as if all our past is catching up to us, emotion after emotion pouring from our very veins. It’s fierce, and breathtaking.

  I breathe his name, “Rowen.” He hums against my ear as he rubs himself against me. This is different. What we have now, it’s different; it’s down-right emotional and sexy.

  He growls and I feel it rumble against my chest. He backs up fast and his face is flushed. I pout when he steps away and he shakes his head at me.

  “We have to stop.”

  I whine and I’m surprised at how bratty I’m being. “Why?”

  “Because you’re drunk,” he says, as a matter-of-fact.

  “No, I’m not!” And he laughs and then I laugh because I slurred my words. Even my drunken ears can realize that.

  “Come here,” I say and he willingly does. I press my lips against his again and he laughs against them.

  “Sadie. Stop tempting me… ” he kisses me hard again and then takes a step back and pauses. When he leans in again, it’s only to give me a quick peck on the lips. Then he grabs my hand, breaking the tethered rope we just had tying us together. “Just imagine how fucking good it’ll be when we’re both sober.” I pause. I think. And then I break out into a devious smile, following him back into the bar.